Relational Networks of Cluster Firms in the Domestically-held International Trade Shows : The Case of TIMTOS and Taiwan’s Machine Tool Industry

• Main Authors: Ming-Cheng Chang, 張明正
• Other Authors: Liang-Chih Chen
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2016
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/wr3a6v

碩士 === 國立臺灣大學 === 建築與城鄉研究所 === 104 === Based on existing discussions considering international trade fairs as the relational spaces, this research uses Taipei International Machine Tool Show (TIMTOS) and Taiwan’s machine tool industry as the case to investigate opportunities provided by TIMTOS for Taiwanese machine tool firms in the course of building their relational networks. In addition, we study factors that influence the relation-building activities of those local machine tool firms participating in TIMTOS. To do this study, besides literature review, we use questionnaire surveys, in-depth interviews and DEMATEL as research methods. According to our investigations, the main purpose of Taiwanese machine tool firms participating in TIMTOS is to establish relational networks in three dimensions: marketing, learning, and promotion. Unlike the international machine tool flagship shows, TIMTOS attracted most local visitors rather than international ones, and the spaces for establishing relational networks for Taiwanese machine tool firms in TIMTOS include both the trade fair venue and their own firms. We also found that, although TIMTOS provides many opportunities for local machine tool firms in terms of interactive learning, it’s difficult for them to acquire new technological knowledge in such an event. As a result, they have to access advanced technologies in the industry through other channels. This research finally argues that the most effective way to enhance the opportunities of relation-building for Taiwanese machine tool firms in TIMTOS would be to promote "Venue and Booths Planning" and "TIMTOS Reputation” so as to increase “the Opportunities to Contact with Buyers ". Once "the Opportunities to Contact with Buyers" has been strengthened, other impact factors’ performance would be improved accordingly. We also suggest adjusting the current policies, especially the key factors of TIMTOS, as well as deepening the linkage between industrial cluster and TIMTOS.